A study was made to determine the relationship between religious doubt and personality variables as measured by the MMPI.

Operations Managers of manufacturing systems, distribution systems, and supply chains address lot sizing and scheduling problems as part of their duties. These problems are concerned with decisions related to the size of orders and their schedule. In general, products share or compete for common resources and thus require coordination of their replenishment decisions whether replenishment involves manufacturing operations or not. This research is concerned with joint replenishment problems (JRPs) which are part of multi-item lot sizing and scheduling problems in manufacturing and distribution systems in single echelon/stage systems. The principal purpose of this research is to develop three new periodic review policies for stochastic joint replenishment problem. It also highlights the lack of research on joint replenishment problems with different demand classes (DSJRP). Therefore, periodic review policy is developed for this problem where the inventory system faces different demand classes that are deterministic demand and stochastic demand. Heuristic Algorithms have been developed to obtain (near) optimal parameters for the three policies as well as a heuristic algorithm has been developed for DSJRP. Numerical tests against literature benchmarks have been presented.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1950 M67 / Master of Science

We consider two firms which pool some of their inventory. The pool is created by the firms' contributions, and a firm's entitlement for an allocation from the pool (if needed) is a function of its contribution. Transshipment from the pool is costly, but the firms can benefit from reduced risk through inventory sharing using the pool. We analyze the resulting non-cooperative game. We prove existence of a Nash equilibrium and compare it to a model with centralized control. An appropriate compensation cost for using the other firms contribution to the pool can induce the retailers to achieve centralized solutions. We also compare the optimal partial pooling strategy to the special cases of no pooling and complete pooling and discuss situations where it is likely that one of the special cases will be optimal. Numerical results confirm that in the prevalent practice of partial pooling the retailers can achieve higher expected profits than under no pooling or complete pooling and that there is a significant difference between a setting with independent players and a model of central control.

Tendo em vista a progressiva degradação e perda de habitats naturais, que resultam em declínios populacionais e extinções locais de espécies, torna-se imprescindível e urgente a realização de trabalhos de levantamento faunístico. Inventários são essenciais para melhorar a nossa compreensão da biogeografia da herpetofauna brasileira e para delinear estratégias de conservação efetivas que garantam a preservação do potencial evolutivo das espécies existentes. O nível de conhecimento acerca da biologia e da diversidade de anfíbios e répteis no Brasil, e particularmente no estado de São Paulo, ainda não é satisfatório e uma parcela significativa do que restou de seus ecossistemas foi pouco estudada. Este estudo visou determinar a composição de espécies das comunidades de serpentes, lagartos e anuros do Mosaico de Unidades de Conservação do Jacupiranga (SP) com base em dados coletados em duas localidades e em registros de museus. Foi obtida uma lista com 39 espécies de anuros, uma anfisbena, nove lagartos e 39 serpentes, que provavelmente compõem a herpetofauna do Mosaico. As espécies de anuros capturadas em armadilhas de interceptação e queda e por procura visual foram utilizadas para analisar a eficiência da amostragem. As análises indicaram que, provavelmente, em ambas as localidades e com os dois métodos utilizados, todas as espécies que compõem a comunidade local foram registradas. Com os dados de anuros coletados em armadilhas foram realizadas ainda análises comparando os diferentes ambientes amostrados. Os testes revelaram que há diferenças significativas entre ambientes antropizados e marginais com relação aos ambientes situados em mata melhor preservada. O pequeno número de espécies de répteis amostrados não permitiu que fossem feitas as mesmas análises realizadas para os anuros. A baixa abundância desses animais na natureza e as limitações dos métodos de captura utilizados impossibilitaram a realização de análises de desempenho da amostragem, de estimativas de riqueza e de uso de ambiente. A composição de espécies de anuros, lagartos e serpentes do Mosaico foi comparada com outras localidades a partir de dados disponíveis na literatura e as análises revelaram que, para todos os grupos, as espécies do Mosaico estão mais relacionadas com as comunidades ocorrentes na Floresta Ombrófilo Densa da encosta brasileira, em especial, com aquelas conhecidas para o contínuo de remanescentes florestais do estado de São Paulo que se inicia na Serra do Mar e termina na região do Vale do Ribeira. As informações de história natural, padrões de distribuição, composição de espécies e de seu estado de conservação geradas por esse trabalho podem ser utilizadas como base para o manejo da fauna estudada e para o estabelecimento de medidas conservacionistas pautadas em dados concretos. / Field surveys are urgently in need due to the continuing loss of natural habitats and resulting populational decline and local species extinction. Herpetofaunal surveys are essential to improve our understanding of biogeographical issues concerning this group, and to delineate effective conservation strategies to preserve the evolutionary potential of existing lineages. The knowledge of amphibian and reptile biology and diversity in Brazil, and particulary in the state of São Paulo, is still unsatisfactory. Additionally, a significative portion of the remaining natural areas of this state have been poorly studied. This study aims to determine species composition of anuran, lizard and snake communities from the biological reserve known as Mosaico de Unidades de Conservação do Jacupiranga (SP), and it is based on data collected in two localities as well as on records of museum specimens. As a result, a list with 39 anurans, 1 amphisbaenian, 9 lizards and 39 snakes was produced for the Mosaico. The specimens of anurans recorded during the study were used to analyze sampling effectiveness. This analysis indicated a high probability that all species composing the local community were actually registered. The data of anurans collected in pitfall traps were also used to compare the different environments sampled. The tests showed significant differences among secondary environments, modified by human activities, and mature forests. The same tests could not be done with reptiles due to the small samples captured in pitfall traps. The anuran, lizard and snake assemblages of the Mosaico were compared with other localities assemblages based on data from the literature. Analyses show that the herpetological fauna of the Mosaico resembles more closely to communites present in coastal Atlantic Rainforest, particulary to fauna of the remnants of this ecossistem located between Serra do Mar and Vale do Ribeira in the state of São Paulo. Information on natural history, distribution patterns, species composition and conservation status provided in the present work can be used for faunal management and lead to efficient species conservation planning.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo geral avaliar o uso da geoestatística aplicada ao inventário florestal. Especificamente avaliaram-se: a estrutura de continuidade espacial de quatro características dendrométricas, os métodos de ajuste e seleção de modelos da função de semivariância, o comportamento dos intervalos de confiança clássico e geoestatístico e o potencial da krigagem de bloco para a predição volumétrica por talhão. Os dados para realização do presente estudo foram obtidos num povoamento de 987 hectares de Eucalyptus grandis, com sete anos de idade, localizados no município de Itapetininga, São Paulo, pertencente à Votorantin Celulose e Papel (VCP). Pelos semivariogramas anisotrópico e isotrópico avaliou-se a estrutura de continuidade espacial das características: volume, diâmetro médio quadrático, área basal e altura média dominante. Dois modelos da função de semivariância foram ajustados para o volume, por meio de quatro métodos de ajuste e a seleção do melhor modelo foi efetuada a partir do critério de Akaike (AIC) e por meio das técnicas de validação cruzada e preditiva. Quanto às simulações estocásticas com o modelo geoestatístico, verificou-se o desempenho da cobertura do intervalo de confiança clássico e geoestatístico em relação à cobertura nominal. A predição volumétrica por talhão foi obtida da krigagem com simulação em cada um dos talhões do povoamento. Verificouse que as características dendrométricas mensuradas no inventário florestal apresentaram-se estruturadas espacialmente. Este resultado sugeriu que no processamento do inventário florestal deve-se considerar a componente espacial, ou seja, as parcelas não devem ser tratadas de forma independente. Sugere-se o uso conjugado do critério de Akaike e da validação cruzada para seleção de modelos da função de semivariância. Detectou-se que os intervalos de confiança clássico e geoestatístico apresentaram cobertura inferior à cobertura nominal, para uma população espacialmente contínua. Porém, a cobertura do intervalo de confiança do estimador clássico foi bem inferior à cobertura nominal, mostrando viés substancial na estimativa da variância da média quando há estrutura de continuidade espacial. Para populações fixas o estimador clássico proporcionou cobertura observada igual à cobertura nominal. Este resultado comprova a validade da aleatorização para uso do Teorema Central do Limite, na definição do intervalo de confiança, independente da estrutura de continuidade espacial. Na presença de continuidade espacial, o uso do estimador geoestatístico (krigagem de bloco), para estimativa do volume por talhão, é preferido por duas razões: proporciona estimativa da precisão sem viés e é de baixo custo quando comparado ao estimador clássico. / This research evaluated the use of applied geostatistic forestry inventory. Specifically, it evaluated: the continuity of spatial structure of four dendrometric characteristics, the adjustment methods and model selection of the semi variance function, the behavior of classic and geostatístic confidence intervals and the potential of the block krigage for the stand volumetric prediction. Data were obtained in a 987 ha of Eucalyptus grandis forest plantation aged 7 years, located in Itapetininga county- São Paulo State, belonging to Votorantim Pulp and Paper (VCP). The spatial continuity structure of volume, quadratic average diameter, basal area and dominant average height was evaluated through the anisotropic and isotropic semi variogrammes. Two semi variance function models were adjusted for volume, through four adjustment methods. The selection of the best model was made starting from the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and through the crossed validation and prediction techniques. Departing from stochastic simulations, using geostatistic model the performa nce of the classic and geoestatístic confidence interval covering was verified, in relation to the nominal covering. The stands volumetric prediction was obtained from the krigage with simulation in each plantation stand. It was verified that the dendrométric characteristics measured in the forestry inventory presented spatially structured. This result suggested that, in the forestry inventory processing, spatial component should be considered, i.e., the plots should not be treated separately. It seems tha t the AIC and the cross validation for semi variance function model selection must be associated. It was detected that both classic and geostatistic confidence intervals presented lower covering than that of the nominal covering, for a spatial continuous population. However, the confidence covering interval of the classic estimator was much lower than the nominal covering, showing substantial bias in the estimate of the average variance, when there is structure of spatial continuity. For fixed populations, the classic estimator provided observed covering equal to the nominal covering. Thus, proving that the validity of the randomization for use of the Central Limit Theorem, in the definition of the confidence interval, independently of the structure of space continuity. The use of the geoestatístic estimator (block krigage) for estimating stand volume, in the presence of spatial continuity, is preferred because it provides unbiased and precise estimate at lower cost as compared to the classic estimator.

Tsan-Ming Choi. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-118). / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Literature Review --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Summary of Classic Results --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Two-Stage Single Ordering 一 Unknown Mean and Variance --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- Mathematical Model --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- "Order Quantities, Expected Profits and Expected Quantities of Goods Sold" --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- Benefits from Forecast Update --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4 --- Applying the Model --- p.25 / Chapter 2.5 --- Application Example --- p.25 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Two-Stage Single Ordering with Ordering Cost Difference --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1 --- Mathematical Model --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2 --- Order Quantity and Expected Profit --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- Two-Stage Dynamic Programming Formulation --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4 --- Application Example --- p.37 / Chapter 3.5 --- Sensitivity Studies --- p.39 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Two-Stage Two-Ordering with Ordering Cost Difference --- p.44 / Chapter 4.1 --- Mathematical Model --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2 --- Dynamic Programming Formulation --- p.47 / Chapter 4.3 --- Optimal Order Quantities --- p.51 / Chapter 4.4 --- Application Example --- p.52 / Chapter 4.5 --- Sensitivity Studies --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Multiple-Stage Single Ordering with Ordering Cost Difference --- p.60 / Chapter 5.1 --- Mathematical Model --- p.61 / Chapter 5.2 --- Order Quantity and Expected Profit --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3 --- Dynamic Programming Formulation --- p.64 / Chapter 5.4 --- Approximation by Taylor Series Expansion --- p.72 / Chapter 5.5 --- Approximation by Polynomial --- p.76 / Chapter 5.6 --- Comparison of Taylor Series and Polynomial Approximations --- p.84 / Chapter 5.7 --- Application Examples --- p.85 / Chapter 5.8 --- Sensitivity Studies --- p.91 / Chapter 5.9 --- Extension from Two Stages to Multiple Stages --- p.98 / Chapter 5.10 --- Non-Monotonicity of Cutting Points --- p.99 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Real World Applications --- p.102 / Chapter 6.1 --- Background --- p.102 / Chapter 6.2 --- Two-Stage Cases --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3 --- Multiple-Stage Cases --- p.109 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion and Further Studies --- p.115 / References --- p.117 / Appendix --- p.119

Photocopy of typescript. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

The first essay considers a dynamic non-stationary inventory problem in which replenishment is made in fixed lot sizes (e.g., in full truckloads or full containers). We consider two separate cases: one with exogenous pricing and the other with endogenous pricing. In the first case (exogenous pricing), we show that when the ordering cost contains only a variable component, the reorder-point lot-size policy or (r, Q) policy is optimal for both single-stage and multi-echelon inventory systems. In the presence of a fixed cost, we establish the optimality of batch based (s, S ) policies for the single-stage inventory system. In the second case (endogenous pricing), we show that when the demand function has the additive form and there is only a variable ordering cost, the (r,Q) list-price policy is optimal for the single-stage system, where inventory replenishment follows an (r,Q) policy and the optimal price in each period depends on the order-up-to level. / The second essay analyzes a periodic-review, stochastic, inventory-control system in which the fixed order-cost is a step function of the order size. In particular, if the order size is within a specified limit, C, then the setup cost is K1; otherwise it is K2, where K2 ≥ K1. This cost structure is motivated from some industrial applications and transportation/production contracts used in practice. Under the condition that K1 ≤ K 2 ≤ K1, we introduce a new concept called C - (K1 ≤ K 2) convexity, which enables us to partially characterize the structure of an optimal ordering policy. For the general condition K 1 ≤ K2 , the analysis is facilitated with a different notion called strong K-convexity. Based on this analysis, we provide a partial characterization of the optimal policy and construct an easy-to-implement heuristic method that has near-optimal performance in random test instances. Our study extends or redevelops (with different techniques) several existing results in the literature. / The third essay studies a firm's periodic-review production/inventory ordering decisions when the next period's setup cost depends on the quantity produced/ ordered in the current period. In particular, if the current period's production/order quantity exceeds a specified threshold value, the system starts the next period in a "warm" state and no fixed setup cost is incurred; otherwise the state is considered "cold" and a positive setup cost is required for production/ ordering. We develop a dynamic programming formulation of the problem and provide a partial characterization of the optimal policy under the assumption that the demands follow a Polya or Uniform distribution. We use the structural results to develop fairly simple heuristic policies, which perform highly effectively in our computational experiments. / With increased globalization and competition in the current market, supply chain has become longer and more complicated than ever before. An effective and efficient supply chain is crucial and essential to a successful firm. In a supply chain, inventories are a very important component as the investment in inventories is enormous. This dissertation consists of three essays related to stochastic inventory management. / Yang, Yi. / Adviser: Youhua Chen. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-151). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest dissertations and theses, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Zhang Han. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-46). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.ii / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- Background Study --- p.4 / Chapter 3 --- "The Cost Function under the (s,c2,c1, S) Policy" --- p.8 / Chapter 4 --- "Determination of the Optimal (s,c2,c1,s) Policy" --- p.16 / Chapter 4.1 --- "The Auxiliary Function lγ(s, c2, C1, 5)" --- p.16 / Chapter 4.2 --- Optimizing Parameters of s(γ) and s(γ) --- p.18 / Chapter 4.3 --- Optimizing Parameters c2 (γ) and c1 (γ) --- p.21 / Chapter 5 --- "Algorithm for Computing the Optimal (s, c2, C1, S) Policy" --- p.27 / Chapter 5.1 --- Brief Description of the Algorithm --- p.27 / Chapter 5.2 --- The Statement of the Algorithm --- p.28 / Chapter 5.3 --- Interpretation of the Algorithm --- p.29 / Chapter 6 --- "The Optimality of the (s, c2，c1, S) Policy" --- p.31 / Chapter 6.1 --- Average Cost Criterion --- p.31 / Chapter 6.2 --- The Proof of Optimality --- p.34 / Chapter 6.3 --- "Optimality Proof for the Modified (s,c2,C1,S) Policy in the Re- laxed Model" --- p.38 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Introduction of the Relaxed Model --- p.38 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Average Cost Criteria for the Relaxed Model --- p.38 / Chapter 7 --- Conclusion --- p.42 / Bibliography --- p.43